William Scott
The federal government and ACT governments are continuing to partner to deliver $26.1 million in funding to two major safety upgrades to highways in the Canberra and Queanbeyan-Palerang region.
The next stage of safety upgrades on the Monaro Highway will be supported by $17.5 million from the federal Government – building on the $230.5 million improvements already being delivered to this road network – jointly funded by both governments.
Over 8km of the Monaro Highway will be rehabilitated, from the Jerrabomberra Creek intersection at Hindmarsh Drive to David Warren Road.
This includes both the south and northbound carriageways and on and off ramps on both sides.
The pavement rehabilitation work is expected to be completed later in 2025.
The federal government is also delivering $8.6 million for improvements to the Kings Highway at Kowen.
Two kilometres, from the Mill Post Road intersection to the ACT/NSW border, will receive surface upgrades on both sides of the road – with work expected to finish in the middle of 2025.
These projects are fully funded by the federal government as part of $70 million in Roads to Recovery funding being delivered to the ACT Government over five years – a $30 million boost.
Construction tenders for these key safety improvements have closed, and tender evaluation is being carried out by the ACT Government.
Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain, said that over 18,500 people from across the Queanbeyan-Palerang region cross into Canberra every day for work on both the Monaro and Kings Highways.
“This is why we’re ensuring these critical road networks remain safe and keep up with increasing demand,” Ms McBain said.
“That’s on top of thousands of people from across Eden-Monaro that use these highways every week to access important services in the ACT, and the tens of thousands from Canberra that head away on weekends to make the most of what our fantastic communities have to offer – from the coast to the snow.”
ACT Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne, said that the ACT government is ensuring commuters in Canberra and the surrounding regions have reliable roads and can safely travel between New South Wales and the ACT – which is exactly what these latest upgrades will support.
“We welcome this investment from the federal government, and we’ll continue to work together to deliver more priority upgrades for our growing region.”
